Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement
The most tested grammar rule in entrance exams. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
Don't be fooled by the phrase "of scientists". The subject is the singular "team".
Mentally put parentheses around phrases starting with of, with, in, for. They NEVER contain the subject of the sentence.
Grammar: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.
Words like Everyone, Someone, and Each are always SINGULAR.
WRONG: Everyone has their own book.
RIGHT: Everyone has his or her own book.
Grammar: Master Verb Tenses
Ensure consistency in tenses within a sentence or paragraph.
| Tense | Usage | Keyword |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Habits/Facts | Always, usually |
| Present Perfect | Action with current effect | Has/Have + past part. |
| Past Perfect | Action before another past action | Had + past part. |
Sentence Structure: Modifiers & Parallelism
Dangling Modifiers
WRONG: While walking home, the rain started.
RIGHT: While I was walking home, the rain started.
Parallelism
WRONG: She likes swimming, hiking, and to run.
RIGHT: She likes swimming, hiking, and running.
Vocabulary: Using Context Clues
Identifying word meaning through surroundings.
- 1Synonyms: Words with similar meanings in the sentence.
- 2Antonyms: Contrast words like however, but, unlike.
- 3Examples: List of items that clarify the term.
Word Analogy Strategies
Finding the relationship between pairs of words.
Logic: Tool : Object acted upon.
Make a simple sentence with the first pair and apply it to the second. "A hammer hits a nail." "Does a screwdriver hit a screw?" No, but it drives it. Find the best match!
Paragraph Organization (Logical Order)
Arranging sentences to form a coherent paragraph.
- 1Find the Topic Sentence: General statement, no pronouns like "He" or "It" without an antecedent.
- 2Look for Transitions: However, Therefore, Next, Then.
- 3Closing Sentence: Summary or final thought.
Reading: Main Idea & Supporting Details
Distinguishing the primary point from secondary examples.
Avoid choices that only cover one part of the paragraph. The Main Idea must encompass the entire passage.
Reading: Drawing Inferences
Reading between the lines. An inference is something the author implies but doesn't state directly.
Reading: Author's Tone & Mood
Tone
The author's attitude (e.g., Sarcastic, Objective, Hopeful).
Mood
The feeling of the reader (e.g., Gloomy, Joyful, Tense).
Identifying Errors (Sentence Correction)
Spotting the underlined part that is grammatically incorrect.
Mentally "listen" to the sentence. Your ear often spots awkward grammar that your eyes might miss. If it sounds "off," investigate that part!
Figures of Speech Essentials
| Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | Comparison using like/as | Busy as a bee |
| Metaphor | Direct comparison | Time is a thief |
| Personification | Human traits to objects | The wind whistled |
| Hyperbole | Exaggeration | I'm starving to death |
Writing Style: Active vs Passive
Entrance exams prefer the Active Voice for clarity and directness.
Active
The chef prepared the meal.
Passive
The meal was prepared by the chef.
Punctuation & Capitalization
Using commas, semicolons, and colons correctly.
Colon (:): Introduces a list or an explanation.
Effective Writing & Diction
Choosing the right words for the right context.
- 1Clarity: Avoid wordiness. Choose the simplest word that fits.
- 2Conciseness: Remove redundant phrases (e.g., "return back").
Words of Wisdom 📚
Mastering the English language is your ticket to college success.